Southwestern Salsa Style Pasta Sauce Recipes

SOUTHWESTERN BEEF-AND-PASTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
• Meanwhile, coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray.
• In large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, cook beef with seasoning and salt until browned.
• Stir in salsa; remove from heat.
• In large bowl, mix Alfredo sauce, eggs and 1 cup cheese; stir in pasta.
• In another bowl, toss spinach with 1/2 cup cheese.
• To assemble, spoon half of pasta mixture, about 4 cups, into pan.
• Sprinkle spinach mixture evenly over pasta.
• Top with even layer of beef mixture.
• Top with remaining pasta mixture.
• Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.
• Bake until hot in center and top is golden, about 1 hour.
• Run sharp knife around edge of pan to loosen pasta.
• Let stand 10 minutes.
• Remove side of pan; sprinkle with parsley.

SOUTHWESTERN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk the first 8 ingredients until blended. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta; rinse with cold water., In a large bowl, mix pasta, corn, beans, tomatoes, olives, peppers, onion and 1/4 cup cilantro. Pour dressing over salad; toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving., Just before serving, top with avocado and the remaining cilantro.

MEXICAN SPAGHETTI SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large nonstick skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain., In a large saucepan, combine the spaghetti sauce, beans, tomatoes, corn, salsa, chilies, chili powder, salt and pepper. Stir in beef mixture. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes. Serve with spaghetti.

PASTA IN SOUTHWESTERN SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the sherry and oil in a heavy skillet over med-high until it boils.
• Saute the garlic and shallots for 3 minutes, stirring.
• Add the both types of tomatoes and the jalapenos.
• Reduce heat to low, and cook for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally.
• While sauce simmers, prepare the pasta (fresh pasta should only need to boil for 5 minutes or less). Stir the fresh pasta occasionally, as it can get pretty sticky.
• Drain the pasta, rinse briefly with hot water, and drain again.
• Add the pasta to the skillet with the sauce, then sprinkle in the fresh herbs.
• Toss pasta and sauce together, then serve immediately.

SOUTHWESTERN PASTA

Steps:

• Peel sweet onions and cut into slices about 1/4-inch thick; separate slices into rings.
• In a large deep skillet, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Add onions, chicken, cumin, chili powder, salt and cayenne pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and golden, about 25 minutes.
• Stir in the tomatoes, corn and chiles and cook 2 minutes longer.
• Pour in the chicken stock and increase heat to high. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Combine the sauce, cooked pasta, cilantro and goat cheese, stirring and tossing to soften the cheese.

SPICY SOUTHWEST PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta in salted boiling water until tender.
• Drain pasta and rinse with cold water.
• Combine all remaining ingredients in a large bowl.
• Add pasta and stir until the pasta is coated.
• Refrigerate at least an hour before serving.